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The Edmonton Oilers winger keeps coming closer to netting his first goal of the season, but has yet to be able to bury his increasing number of opportunities.

Despite scoring a shootout marker, Gagner was kept off the board through regulation and overtime again as the Oilers fell 3-2 to the Minnesota Wild.

It was the third time this season the Oilers have dropped a shootout decision to the Wild.

“I just have to keep going, I feel like it’s right there,” Gagner said. “I got a couple of chances tonight and I was able to create a few.

“But the moment you start to get frustrated is when you miss that next good chance. I just have to keep my focus the same way. I feel like I’m playing well and I just want to find a way to contribute to wins here.”

Gagner moved up to take the spot left vacant by an injured Taylor Hall on the left side of a line with Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky.

It was the first time this season Gagner has played on the left wing.

“I did it off an on my first year with MacT (Craig MacTavish),” said Gagner. “But that was usually when I wasn’t playing well and was down on the fourth line.

“But I feel pretty comfortable there. I think offensively, I’m actually a little more comfortable going down that wing. It’s just a matter of defensively tying to be in the right spots and reading the play. But I thought defensively I got more comfortable there as the game went on. Hopefully I can find a way to produce and stay there.”

Heading into the contest Gagner had six assists in 17 games this season. He started the year on the injured list, having rolled his ankle in the pre-season.

Now healthy and seemingly back to form, Gagner is looking to break out of his scoring slump. He had a great chance in the third period, but the puck just hopped up on him at the last second and was unable to bury a rebound in front.

“It was sitting there for an empty-net for me,” Gagner said. “Their defenceman right at the last second just got a little touch on it and hit it a little bit to the right and it went off the toe of my stick.

“It’s just one of those things, I have to find a way to bear down and make sure those go in. But it’s still coming and I want to continue to play the way I’ve been playing and I’ll find a way to produce.”